Brushmaking machine



Sept. 14, 1954 J. l. CARLSON BRUSHMAKING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 10, 1950 INVENTOR Jbiv'z J'. Carlson du4 mm afzfarrzeys NEFL Sept. 14, 1954 Filed Nov. 10, 1950 J. l. CARLSON BRUSHMAKING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR J/zrz f Carlson Sept. 14, 1954 J. 1. CARLSON BRUSHMAKING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 10, 1950 INVENTOR .fa/zrz ffarlsozz; BY

Sept. 14, 1954 J. l. CARLSON BRUSHMAKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 10, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 a 0 v i mr. k

Patented Sept. 14, 1954 'BRUSHMAKING MACHINE John I. Carlson, Aurora, 111,-, assignor to Carlson Tool & Machine Company, a corporation of Illinois Application November 10, 1950, Serial No. 195,044

24 Claims. 1

This invention relates to brush making machines.

It is the general object of this invention to produce a new and improved brush makingmachine.

It is a more specific object of the invention to produce a brush making machine capable of operating continuously and automatically to drill holes in a brush back and to insert tufts in the holes without the necessity of being attended by an operator, the capacity of the machine for continuous production being limited only by the consideration of the size of the storage facilities for blank brush backs to be fed to the machine.

It is a further object of the invention to produce a brush making machine having means for automatically feeding blank brush backs to a conveyor which is adapted to convey brush backs to a drilling station whereat a plurality of holes are drilled, to a tufting station whereat a tuft is inserted in each hole, and then to a release station where the completed brush back is released from the conveyor, and in which the entire sequence of operations is automatically timed and performed.

Another object of the invention is to produce a brush making machine having a movable conveyor adapted to receive a brush back automatically delivered thereto from a storage means, and to convey the brush back to a drilling station having means for forming holes in the brush back, and to a tufting station having means for inserting tufts into the holes, and in which the conveyor is mounted upon a carrier movable in two directions substantially at right angles to each other and including means for moving the carrier in at least one of said directions each time a brush back is positioned at the drilling station, and at the tufting station and to provideimeans for intermittently moving the conveyor from one station to another after the completion of said predetermined operations.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a completely automatic brush making machine having a drill for forming holes in a brush back, a tufter for inserting a tuft into said holes, and a movably mounted conveyor adapted to receive brush backs from a storage means to convey them to the drill, and then to the tufter, and finally to release the drilled and tufted brush backs and, in which all of said operations are timed and actuated through the medium of a plurality of constantly rotating cams.

gAfurther objectof the invention is to provide in a brush making machine having a reciprocating drill and tufter, a carrier adapted to carry a plurality of brush backs and means for moving said carrier in at least two directions substantially at right angles to each other through the medium of driven cams, movement of the carrier in at least one of said directions taking place each time the drill and tufter are reciprocated in order to drill a predetermined number of holes in each brush back while simultaneously inserting a tuft in each hole previously drilled in another brush back and to provide such moving means with easily, yet accurately operable adjustments, more accurately to locate the holes in each brush back.

Another object of the invention is to produce a new and. improved mechanical neutralizing or centering means for the tuft guard in a brush making machine.

Other and further objects of the invention will be readily apparent from the following description and drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a brush making machine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the central portion of Fig. 1, along line 2-2 thereof, showing the carrier and a part of the actuating means therefor;

Fig. 3 is a view of the back carrier shown in the central portion of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3;

' Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the right-hand end of the carrier shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a view showing a modified form of the feeding mechanism for feeding brush backs to the carrier;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view, partly in section, of the mounting for the carrier and the means for moving the same, taken substantially along line 1! of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view along line 8-8 of Fig. 7; I

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail vertical section showing the means for moving the carrier in one direction;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the carrier similar to Fig. 2 and showing means for moving the carrier in a vertical direction; and

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1.

While the invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and hereinafter described in detail one specific embodiment, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as iirIir order more firmly to hold a brush back in the gripping means; there is secured to the upper surface of the ways 46 a guide member 5| provided with'a projecting lip 52 adapted to project over theinner end of a brush back held in the gripping ;means. The lip 52 is provided with arouat'elycut-away portions 52a and 521) located at thedrilling'station A and the tufting station B in order to expose the tip of the brush back for the drilling and tufting operations. An additional guideway 53 is secured to the outer side plate 35 by means of the bracket 54 and is provided with a substantially U-shaped channel 55 adapted to receive the outer end of a handle portion 50a of the brush back. An additional guide member 56.is secured to the guide 5| by means ofarms 51 and 58 and is adapted to hold the outerextremity of the portion of the brush back which is to be tufted in firm alignment.

E It is, of course, understood that the various sizesand spacings shown for the blocks, jaws and guide means illustrated may be varied to accommodatebrush backs of varying sizes and shapes. For the purpose of this disclosure, however, the brush back undergoing drilling and tufting is illustrated as a tooth brush.

The hopper 32 is, as previously stated, adapted to contain a plurality of blank brush backs and tothis end is provided with side portions 60 and BI ((see Fig. 5) adapted to guidingly receive a plurality of blank brush backs 50 therebetween. In the particular embodiment shown in Fig. 5, it is contemplated that the brush backs will, by their own weight, feed themselves to the conveyor as it is moved therebeneath. Thus as the jaw 41b moves beneath the hopper to the position illustrated in Fig. 5, the blank brush back 50b drops down into the space between the jaws lla'and 411). -As the jaw 41a is moved to the position shownas occupied by the jaw 41b, the blank brush back 580 will drop down into the space between the jaw 41a and the following jaw 410. It may be advantageous to provide a small rubber insert 62 on each of the jaws to provide a firmer grip on the brush backs. A- ,slightly modified form of hopper is illustrated iniFig. 6. As illustrated in that figure, there is shown a hopper,32' adapted to contain a supply of brush backs 50. For the purpose of feeding brush backs to the conveyor the sides 60' and.6l' of the hopper are so located as to guidingly receive the brush backs which are held in place by a guide bar 63. A pneumatically operated plunger is reciprocably mounted in a cylinder 64 connectedby a pipe 65 to a source of compressed air and operated intermittently in timed relation with intermittent movement of the conveyor to force a brush back 50' from the hopper into the space between jaws on the conveyor. In this particular form of feeding means, it is advisable toprovide a guide plate 66 to insure that brush backs are properly positioned on the jaws as they are fed through from the hopper.

A previously stated, the drill and tufter are reciprocated constantly to form holes in one brush back positioned at the drilling station and to insert and staple tufts in previously drilled holes in another brush back positioned at the tufting station. The forming of a predetermined plurality of holes and the spacing thereof is accomplished by moving the carrier in at least one direction each time the drill and tufter are reciprocated- When the predetermined number of holes have been drilled in a brush back, the conveyoris m'ovedto position otherbrush backs at cycle of drilling and tufting may continue uninterruptedly. Inasmuch as the drill and tufter may be reciprocated as rapidly as three or four times a second, it is clear that little time is provided for shifting the conveyor. To achieve the required rapid motion of the conveyor, there is provided a pneumatic piston and cylinder device lfl'secured to the side plate 36 of the .carrier and provided with a rod H secured to the piston and carryinga pawl 12 pivotally secured thereto and adapted to engage the teeth 13 of a ratchet wheel 14 fixedly secured to the shaft 15 which carries the sprocket 38. Reciprocation of the piston withinthedevice '10 is adapted to move the rod H rightwardly from the position shown in solid lines in Fig. 3 to the position shown in dotted lines therein to rotate the ratchet wheel. A spring 15 is provided toinsure proper engagement between the pawl and ratchet teeth and to this end has one end secured to the pawl 12 and the other end secured, to an arm 11 secured to the side plate .36 and extending downwardly and providing a bear--v ing for the shaft 15. 1 Because of the short time permitted for movement ofthe carrier between the. reciprocatory cycles of the drill and tufter, the compressed airreleased into the piston and cylinder device 10 for reciprocating the piston must be under, considerable pressure and, in effect, constitutes an explosive charge rapidly to move the conveyor. Obviously, when such an exceedingly rapid movement is achieved there is grave danger that the conveyor will overrun its desired position. Ac,- cordingly,.additional means are provided to prevent the conveyor from travelling farther than thevdistance between the jaws on the conveyor in order to move the same only the distance required to move a brush back in each station out of that station while simultaneously moving other brush backs into the stations.

To that end, a second ratchet wheel 8|! (see Fig. 4) is also secured to the shaft 15. A second pawl 8| is rotatably secured to a shaft 82 fixed to the inner side plate 36 and carries a pin sliable. in an elongated slot 84 provided in an arm.85 secured to the ratchet wheel 14. A spring 86 has one end secured to the arm TI and the other to the pin 83 constantly to urge the pin against the right-hand end (as shown in Fig. 3) of the slot 84 and yet to provide a resilient connection between the pin and slot. As the ratchet wheel 14 is rotated clockwise by the pawl 12, the arm 85 is carried rightwardly by such movement to drawthe pawl 8| from the position shown in solid lines in Fig. 3 to the position shown in dotted lines therein wherein it engages the teeth 81 of the ratchet wheel 88. .Such engagement, of course, effectively stops the rotation of the shaft 15 and prevents overrunning of the conveyor.

.The rod H which connects the piston to the pawl 12 is adjustable in length so that the machine may be adapted to move the conveyor intermittently varying distances to accommodate the various sizes of brush backs to be operated upon. To this end the rod II is broken into the portions Na and (lb with both portions having threaded ends adapted to be received in a nut portion 88 and a neck portion 89 of a unitary fitting which spans the space between the broken portions of the rod. The portions Ha and Nb, where they are received in the nut portion 88 and neck portion 89 respectively, carry opposite threads so that rotation of the nut portion serves torincrease .or decrease the aefiective length of the rod and thus to increase or decrease the degree of :rotation imparted to the ratchet .14 with reciprocation .of the piston.

Compressed air is supplied to the piston and cylinder device through a line 190 .(see Fig. .2) connected to .a source of compressed .air through the .medium of a-valve device 9 I.. Obviously, the movement of theconveyor must be timed to coincide :with the completion of the drilling of .a predetermined number of holes in a lorushiback, and to :this .end .the valve device is operated by means of :a cam 92 secured to the main cam shaft 593. A cam follower 294 rides on the cam and is connected to a lever ,95 pivotally mounted on rtheabody portion 96 .of the valve. The lever is provided "with an actuating lug :91 adapted to contact a plunger :98 which operates the valve to admit compressed air into the cylinder to reciprocate :the iston therein. An additional air line 9-9 may connect the valve device BI with the cylinder $4 which contains the feeding plunger in the hopper illustrated in Fig. 6 .in order that the plunger may apply pressure against a brush back in the hopper and slide it into the gripping means on the conveyor when the latter has completed its intermittent movement.

As previously indicated, the positioning of .a blank brush back at the drilling station to .form the desired number of holes in the brush back, properly aligned and spaced, and the positioning of a drilled brush back at the tufting station to bring sequentially, each of the previously drilled holes therein directly beneath the tufter for reception of a tuft, is accomplished byshifting the carrier in at least one direction .each time the drill and tufter are reciprocated. To accomplish the movement of the carrier a first-guideway I (see Figs. 2, 3 and 8) is mounted .upon a pair .of posts IOI and ma vertically movable in sockets I03 and I04 formed in :the frame .20. Gompressionsprings I05 and W6 surrounds the rods "I01 and I02 respectively and bear. against the frame and .guideway to cushion the movement therebetween and to assist in the vertical movement :of the carrier when such movement is required as hereinafter explained .Lock nuts m and IBM are threadedly mounted on the lower ends of :the posts I01 and 102, respectively, and may be tightened against the lower ends of the sockets I03 and I64 to .prevent vertical movement of the carrier should the particular .style of brush =backs being operated :upon require no such movement. The gnideway :Illfl is :positioned beneath and parallel .to a line joining the .drilling and :tufting stations and slidably carries a .membersIllI or movement therealong. As best shown in Fig. v,2, the member I01 is provided with .:de-

pending .sides I08 and 109, which engage :the sides of the guideway 1:90, .and with removable guide flanges III! and III which extend beneath and engage the underside of step portions H2 and [1.3 formed in the guideway Llflil in order to securely hold the member I01 on the guideway.

As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the member I01 carries a pair of spaced parallel guideways H5 and M5 which extend at right .angles to the guideway 1.00. The carrier 30 is provided with channels .I I8 and LE9 adapted to slide on the guideways H5 and IIS with each of the channels being provided with side flanges 120 .adapted to ride on the underside of stepped ortions 121 formed in each of the guide'vvays, .as shown in Fig. 3. From the foregoing, it can be seen that movement in a direction parallel toa line joining the drilling and tufting stations is accomplished byslidi-ng the member I81, and hence the carrier 30, along the guideways I00 while movement at right angles thereto is accomplished by sliding the carrier. along the guideways I I5 and H 6. Movement of the carrier in each or both of said directions is accomplished through constantly rotating camson themain cam shaft of the machine.

Eor sliding the member III! on the guideway L9G there is provided a plate I20 secured to-the right-:handendof the member (as seen inFig?) and having an (elongated opening IZI therein in which a bushing l-22 is slidable. The bushing r22 is adapted to be secured to a post I-23 xed to crank :means in the formof a rotatably mounted disc I24. In order to provide accurate means for adjusting the throw of the crank, the bushing I22 is eccentrically mounted on the post 123 and is secured thereto, by means of a knurled collar 525,. in any position to which it may be rotated on the post. The disc I24 is provided'with a post 526 which extends therebeneath and is-received in a slot 121 formed in the outer end of-a slide bar :28 slidabl-y on the frame 2t! of the machine. A spring 1 2-9 has'one end afiixed to an extension I30 of the post I26 and has its other end secured to the frame-of the machine to urge the post-into engagement with the slot I21! and to -:hold the cam follower attached to the slide bar 528 in contact with its actuating cam 132. The cam I32 serves, through the medium of the connecting means just described, to move the member Ill! back and forth along the guideway Hm.

The rear side plate 36 of thecarr-ier is provided with an angle iron MB (Fig. 2) which extends therealong. A second parallel angle iron MI having an upstanding face M2 is secured in spaced parallel relation to the face I43 of the angle iron ME by means of a plurality of posts M4 which extend therebetween. The faces M2 and 14-3 .define an elongated slot M5 adapted to receive a post :I 36 eccentricallymounted on a pin I l'i threadedly secured to a second slidebar M8. The post I41 may be secured in any one .of three holes Mia, M12) or Mile, in the slide .bar 8, roughly :to position the carrier. The slide bar M8 is slidable in the frame and carries a cam follower Ma engaging a cam i 50 fixed to'the shaft 93. The post 1% may be rotated about the pin Ml accurately to position the carrier and then may be secured in any desired position thereon by tightening the pin M? to bring the head 1'50 thereof into firm engagement with the bottom of arecess IE5! in which it is received and formed in the top portion of the post 146. A spring "I52 (see Fig.9) has one end secured to the framejfl and the other secured to a post I153 which extends through an opening I54 in the frame and issecuredto the slide :bar 148, the spring serving to .urgethe slide bar, and hence the cam follower, against the cam. I

.Occasionally, :the brush back to .be operated upon isqprovided with .a surface which is nonplanar. This requires that the carrier-be moved not only horizontally but vertically. 'Foreffecting vertical movement of the carrier, the guide- Way tilt is provided with a pair of .buttonslfin, secured.to.;.the1undersidethereof (Fig. 10') adapted tozrideon apair of spaced cammingsurfaces lifizl aifi-xcdito a plate L62. The plate L162 is, .inturn, secured tolthe slide :baiwIM bymeans of bolt I63 which extend through an opening I64 in .slide cover plate 1-615. Thecammin :suriaces .IBI are .tation of the gear wheel .I'It. slidable in a sleeve I76 secured to a crank I'I'I which is slidablein the cr'osshead. As the crank crosshead to the other.

drilled and tufted in a brush 'back 50" on the conveyor. Movement of the carrier in a direction parallel to the curvature of the brush back '50" is accomplished by movement of the slide bar I 48. Movement of the slide bar moves the camming surfaces beneath the buttons I60 and thus raises or lowers the carrier. Vertical move ment of the carrier is permitted by the means previously described, that is, the provision of the posts IIH and "12- which are Vertically movable in the sockets I03 and I84 in the base. Obviously, the particular shape of the camming surface I6! is determined by the shape of the brush back to be operated upon and should the'latter have a plane surface the camming surfaces may be omitted.

It is contemplated that the brush'making machine of this invention will be equipped with a tuft guard of the general type disclosed in said- Patent 2,415,083. For that purpose, the shaft for oscillating or'reciprocating the tuft guard is secured to a crosshead H which is adapted to be oscillated either clockwise or counterclockwise from the neutral position shown in Fig. 11. For oscillating the crosshead there is provided an arm Ill secured to a pin H2 mounted eccentrically on the driven gear H3. The arm carries a collar I'M resiliently held in the position shown by a spring I15 and adapted to be brought against the upper portion of the crosshead Il'fl to rock the same in a counterclockwise direction with ro- The arm Ill is is moved to the opposite end of the crosshead I10, reciprocation of the arm Ill will, of course, rock the crcsshead in a clockwise direction.

Sliding of the crank Ill from one end to the other of the crosshead is accomplished through the crank and lever mechanism generally desig nated at H8, which includes a driven cam I19, a

lever I89 pivoted to the frame and provided with -lever. I80 and its other end connected to a second lever led which carries a sleeve m5 slidably surrounding a control rod 536 and abutting against a spring I87. The other end'of the'spring I81 abutsa collar I88. The crank Ill is secured to the upper end of the rod I86, and hence movement of the rod through the cam and lever means I18 serves to move the crankfrom one end of the A spring I89 is secured to the frame and to the crosshead I70 to 'urge'the ,same to return'to the neutral position shown.

' To assist the spring I89 in'returning the crosshead to neutral, there is provided an arm I 90 having one end pivotally secured to the frame at I 9| and secured at an intermediate portion to-a spring I92 attached to the frame. The upper end, I93 of the arm has a flat face urged. against a flattened portion I94 Fig. 1) provided on a disc I95 secured to the shaft upon which the crosshead is mounted. Thus should the spring I85 fail to return the crosshead to "exactly neutral position the pressure of the face I93 against the flattened portion I94 serves to rotate the disc to a position in which said portion along substantially its entire length is in contact with the upper "fiat face of the'arm.

ing station including a'drill to form holes in a brush backga tufting station including a tufter ing station comprising a carrier, means for mov-- ing the carrier in at least two directions substantially at right angles to each other, a conveyor movably mounted on the carrier and provided with a plurality of brush lback gripping means, a feeding station including a hopper mounted on the carrier, means in the hopper for storing brush backs and for feeding brush backs to each of the gripping means as it is positioned at the feeding station, and means for intermittently moving the conveyor sequentially to position a gripping means at the feeding station'to receive a brush back and then to move the conveyor to move the. last-mentioned brush back sequentially to the drilling station and to the tufting station. 2. In a brush making machine having a drilling station including a drill to form holes in a brush back and a tufting station including a tufter to insert tufts into said holes, operating and conveying means comprising a carrier, a conveyor mounted on the carrier for movement in a path passing through the drilling station and the tufting station and provided with a pluralityof brush backgripping means, a feeding station in said path including storagev means mounted on the carrier for holding a supply of brush backs and adapted tofeed a brush back into each gripping means as it passes the feeding station, means foralternately moving and halting the conveyor to move each gripping means into and halt it sequentially at the feeding station, the drilling station and then at the tufting station, and means operating automatically each time the conveyor is halted to'operate the drill to form holes in a brush back in the gripping means at the drilling station and to operate the tufter to insert tufts into previously formed holes in another brush back held in the gripping means at the tufting station.

3. In a brush. making machine having a drilling station including a drill to form holes in a brush back, a tufting station including a tufter to insert tufts into said holes and means for operating said drill and tufter to drill a hole in a brush back positioned at the drilling station while simultaneously inserting a tuft in a previously drilled hole in another brush back positioned at the tufting station, means for conveying brush backs to the drilling station and then to the tufting station comprising a carrier, means for moving the carrier in at least two directions substantially at right angles to each other, a pair of sprockets mounted in spaced relationship on the carrier'for rotation in a single plane, a chain carried by the sprockets and having portions passing through the drilling station and the tufting station, a plurality of spaced jaws on the chain, means for feeding a brush back to the space between jaws and located at a point where said chain is travelling in an arcuate path around a sprocket whereby a brush back fed from the feeding means is gripped by the jaws as the chain travels in a linear path after leaving said sprocket, and means for intermittently rotating the sprockets to position a brush back held in.

brush back, a tufting station including atufter to insert tufts into said holes and means for operatingsaid drill and tufter to drill a hole in a brush back positionedat the drilling station while simultaneously inserting a tuft in a previously drilled hole in another brush back positioned at the tufting station, means for conveying brush backs to the drilling station and then to the tufting station, comprising.a carrier, means for mov-- ing the carrier in at least two directions substantially at right angles to each other, a pair of sprockets mounted-in spaced relationship on the carrier for rotation in a single plane, a chain carried by the sprockets and. having portions passing through the drilling station. and the tufting station, a plurality of spaced jaws on the chain, means for feeding a brush back to the space between jaws and located adjacent one of the sprockets where the chain is travelling. therearound whereby a brush back fed from. the feeding means is gripped by the jaws as the chain travels in a linear path after leaving said sprocket, a release stationloc'ated adjacent the other sprocket and having means for receiving a brush back as .it is released by said jaws as the chain travels in an arcuate path around said other sprocket, and means for intermittently rotating the sprockets to position said brush back sequentially at thedrillingstation and the tufting station and then to move the brush back to the release station.

57 In a brush making machine having a drilling station including a drill to form holes in a brush back, a tufting station including a tufter to insert tufts into said holes and means for operating said drill and tufter to drill a hole in a brush back positioned at the drilling station while simultaneously inserting a tuft in a previously drilled hole in another brush back positioned at thetufting station, means for conveying brush backs to the drilling station and then to the tufting station comprising a carrier, means for moving the carrier in at least two directions substantially at right angles to each other, a pair of sprockets mounted in spaced relationship on the carrier for rotation in a single plane, a chain carried by the sprockets and having portions pass ing through the drilling station and the tufting station, a plurality of spaced jaws'on the chain, means for feeding a brush back to the space between jaws and located at a point where said chain'is travelling in an arcuate path around a sprocket whereby a brush back fed from the feeding means is gripped by the jaws as the chain travels in a linear path after leaving said sprocket, and a pneumatic piston and cylinder device connected to one of the sprockets for intermittently but rapidly rotating the sprockets to position a brush back fed to the jaws by the feeding means sequentially at the drilling station and then at the tufting station.

6. In a brush making machine having a drilling station including a drill to form holes in a brush back, a tufting station including a tuf'ter to insert tufts into said holes and means for operating said drill and tufter to drill a hole in a brush back positioned at the drilling station while simultaneously inserting a tuft in a previously drilled hole in another brush back positioned at the tufting station, means for conveying brush backs to the drilling station and thentothe tuftingstation comprising a carrier, means for moving the carrier in at least two directionssubstantially at right angles to each other, a pair of sprockets mounted in spaced relationship on the carrier for rotation in a single plane, a chain' carried by the sprockets and having a portion passing in a linear path through the drilling station and the tufting station, a plurality of brush back gripping means on the chain, spaced parallelways on the-carrier extending along said path on both sides of the chain, guide means secured to the chain and riding in said ways, means for feeding brush backs to the gripping means in advance of said stations, and means mounted on the carrier for intermittently rotating said sprockets to pcsition a brush back held in the gripping means sequentially at the drilling station and then at the tufting station.

7. In a brush making machine having a drilling station including a drill to form holes in a brush back, a tufting station including a tufter to insert tufts into said holes and means for operating said drill and tufter to drill a hole in a'brush back positioned at the drilling station while simultaneously inserting a tuft in a previously drilled hole in another brush back positioned at the tufting station, means for conveying brush backs to the drilling station and then to the tufting station comprising a carrier, means for moving the carrier in at least two directions substantially at right angles to each other, a pair of sprockets mounted in spaced relationship on the carrier for rotation in a single plane, a chain carried by the sprockets and havinga portion passing in a linear path through the drilling station and the tufting station, a plurality of brush back gripping means on the chain, spaced parallel ways on the carrier extending along said path on both sides of the chain, guide means secured to the chain and riding in said Ways, other ways mounted on the carrier in spaced parallel relationship to said path and adapted to guidingly receive a handle secured to the brush back, means for feeding brush backs to the gripping means in advance of said stations, and means mounted on the carrier for intermittently rotating said sprockets to position a brush back held in the gripping means sequentially at the drilling station and then at the tufting station.

8. In a brush making machine having a drilling station including a drill to form holes in a brush back, a tufting station including a tufter to insert tufts into said holes and means for operating said drill and tufter to drill a hole in a brush back positioned at the drilling station while simultaneously inserting a tuft in a previously drilled hole in another brush back positioned at the tufting station, means for conveying brush backs to the drilling station and then to the tufting station comprising a carrier, means for moving the carrier in at least two directions substantially at right angles to each other, a pair of sprockets mounted in spaced relationship on the carrier for rotation in a single plane, a chain carried by the sprockets and having a portion passing in a linear path through the drilling station and the tufting station, a plurality of blocks mounted on and spaced along the chain, a jaw carried by each block, a pair of spaced parallel guiding channels on the carrier extending along said path on both sides of the chain, guide means on each block adapted to ride in said channels, a guide way mounted on the carrier and adapted to guidingly receive a handle secured to the brush back, a hopper adapted to contain a supply of brush backs and having a discharge opening located adjacent one of the sprockets where the chain is travelling therearound whereby a brush back fed from'said discharge opening is gripped by the jaws as the chain enters said linear path after leaving said sprocket, a release station located adjacent the other sprocket and having means for receiving a brush back, a tufting station including a tufter to insert tufts into said holes and means for operating said drill and tufter to drill a hole in a brush back positioned at the drilling station 'while simultaneously inserting a tuft in a previously drilled hole in another brush back positioned at the tufting station, means for conveying brush backs to the drilling station and then to the tufting station comprising a carrier, means for moving the carrier in at least two directions substantially at right angles to each other, a conveyor mounted on the carrier and provided with a plurality of brush back gripping means, a feed ing station including a hopper adapted to contain a supply of brush backs and having a dischargeopening, a pneumatic piston and cylinder device having a plunger located at said discharge opening and adapted to propel a brush back from the hopper and into the gripping means, means for intermittently moving and halting the conveyor to position a brush back held in the gripping means sequentially at the drilling station and the tufting station, and automatically operating timing means for actuating said operating means and said piston and cylinder device each time said conveyor is halted.

10. In a brush making machine having a drilling station including a drill to form holes in a brush back, a tufting station including a tufter to insert tufts into said holes and means for operating said drill and tufter to drill a hole in a brush back positioned at the drilling station while simultaneously inserting a tuft in a previously drilled hole in another brush back positioned at the tufting station, means for conveying brush backs to the drilling station and then to the tufting station comprising a carrier, means for moving the carrier in at least two directions substantially at right angles to each other, a pair of sprockets mounted in spaced relationship on the carrier for rotation in a single plane, a chain carried by the prockets and having a portion passing in a linear path through the drilling station and the tufting station, a plurality of brush back gripping means on the chain, spaced parallel ways on the carrier extending along said path on both sides of the chain, guide means secured to the chain and riding in said ways, means for feeding brush backs to the gripping means in advance of said stations, a pneumatic piston and cylinder device mounted on the carrier, a ratchet wheel secured to one of the sprockets for rotating the same, an actuating member carrying a pawl to engage the ratchet and secured to the piston, and means operated in timed relationship with said operating means for supplying air under pressure to said cylinder to rotate said sprockets intermittently to position a brush back held in the gripping means sequentially at the drilling station and then at the tufting station.

11. In a brush making machine having a drilling station including a drill to form holes in a brush back, a tufting station including a tufter to insert tufts into said holes and means for operating said drill and tufter to drill a hole in 'a'brush back positioned at the drilling station while simultaneously inserting a tuft in a previously drilled hole in another brush back positioned at the tufting station, means for conveying brush backs to the drilling station and then to the tufting station comprising a carrier, means for moving the carrier in at least two directions substantially at right angles to each other, a pair of sprockets mounted in spaced relationship on the carrier for rotation in a single plane, a chain carried by the sprockets and having aportion passing in a linear path through the drilling station and the tufting station, a plurality of brush back gripping means on the chain, spaced parallel ways on the carrier extending along said path on both sides of the chain, guide means secured to the chain and riding in said ways,

,means for feeding brush backs to the gripping means in advance of said stations, a pneumatic piston and cylinder device mounted on the carrier, ratchet means secured to one of the sprockets for rotating the same, an actuating arm secured to the piston, a first pawl on the arm for engaging the teeth on the ratchet means for rotating the same with reciprocation of the piston, a second pawl on the arm positioned to engage said teeth after the ratchet means has been rotated by the first pawl to stop the rotation thereof, and means operated in timed relationship with said operating means for supplying air under pressure to said cylinder to rotate said sprockets intermittently to position a brush back held in the gripping means sequentially at the drilling station and then at the tufting station.

12. In a brush making machine having a frame, a rotary drill mounted on the frame for vertical reciprocation, means for rotating the "drill; a tufter mounted on the frame for vertical reciprocation, and means for simultaneously reciprocating the drill and tufter to form a hole in a brush'back positioned beneath the drill and to insert a tuft in a previously formed hole in a brush back positioned beneath the tufter, operating and conveying means comprising a carrier mounted on the frame for movement in at least two directions, a conveyor movably mounted on the carrier and adapted to carry a plurality of brush backs, a first and a second cam adapted to "be rotated constantlyduring operation of the machine, a cam follower for each cam, means connecting the carrier with one of said cam followers and adapted to move the carrier in one of said directions, other means connecting the carrier with another of said cam followers and adapted to move the carrier in the other direc- "tion, 'saidcams being adapted to cause movement of the carrier in at least one of said directionseach time the drill and tufter are reciprocated to shift brush backs in said conveyor rel.a tiveto said drill and tufter to drill'a predetermined plurality of spaced holes in a brush back as it is positioned beneath the drill and to insert a'tuft in each hole previously drilled in another bru sh back positioned beneath the tufter, means for moving the conveyor, and a third constantly rotated cam having a. cam follower connected to the last named moving: means, said third cam being adapted upon the. completion of the forming of said predetermined number of holes to cause movement of the conveyor to position other brush backs thereonv beneath the drill and tufter.

13. In a brush making machine; having a frame, a rotary drill mounted on the frame for vertical reciprocation, means for rotating the drill, a tufter mounted on the frame for' vertical reciprocation, andmeans for simultaneously reciprocating the drill and tufter to form a hole in a brush back positioned beneath the drilliand to insert a tuft in a previously formed. hole in a brush back positioned beneath the" tufter, operating and conveying means comprising a car'- rier mounted on the frame for movement in at least two directions, a conveyor movably mounted on the carrier and adapted to carry a plurality of brush backs, a cam shaft, motor means for constantly rotating said shaft during operation of themachine, a first and a second cam fixed to said shaft, a cam follower for each cam, means connecting the carrier with one of. said cam followers and adapted to. move the carrier in one of said directions, other means connecting the carrier with another of said camfollowers and adapted to move the carrier inv the. other direction, said cams being adapted tocause movement of the carrier in. at least one of said directions each time the drill and tufter are reciprocated to shift brush backs in said conveyor relative to said drill and tufter to drill a predetermined plurality of spaced holes in a brush back as it is positioned beneath the drill and to insert a tuft in each hole previously drilled in another brush back positioned beneath the tufter, means for moving the conveyor, and a third cam fixed to said shaft having a cam follower connected to the last named moving means, said third cam being adapted upon the completion of the forming of said predetermined number of holes to move the conveyor to position other brush backs thereon beneath the drill and tufter.

14. In a brush making machine having a frame, a rotary drill mounted on the frame for vertical reciprocation, means for rotating the drill, a tufter mounted on the frame for vertical' reciprocation, and means for simultaneously reciprocating the drill and tufter to form a hole in a brush back positioned beneath the drill and to insert a tuft in a previously formed hole in a brush back positioned beneath the tufter, operating: and conveying means comprising a carrier mounted on the frame for movement in at least two directions, a conveyor movabl'y mounted on the carrier and adapted to carry a plurality of) brush backs, a cam shaft, motor means for constantly rotating said shaft during operation of the machine, a first and a second cam fixed to said-shaft, a cam follower for each cam, means connecting the carrier with one of said cam followers and. adapted to move the carrier in one of said directions, other means connecting the carrier with another of said cam followers and adapted to move the carrier in the other direction, said cams being adapted to cause movement of the carrier in at least one of said directions each time the drill and tufter are reciprocated to shift brush backs in said conveyor relative to said drill and tufter to drill a predetermined plurality of spaced holes in a brush back as it is positioned beneath the drill and to insert a tuft in each hole previously drilled in another brush back: postionedbeneath the tufter, a pneumatic piston and cylinder device for moving the conveyor; valve means for operating the device, and a third cam fixed to said shaft having a cam follower connected to said valve means, said third cam being adapted upon the completion of the forming ofv said predetermined number of holes to operate said valveto move the conveyor to position other brush backs thereon beneath the drill and tufter.

15. In a brush making machine having a frame, a rotary drill mounted on the frame for vertical reciprocation, means for rotating; the drill, a tuft-er mounted on the frame for vertical. reciprocation, and, means for simultaneously reciprocatingthe drill and tufter to form a hole in a brush back positioned beneath the drill to insert a tuft in a previously formed hole in a brush back positioned beneath the'tuf-ter, operating and conveying means comprising a; carrier mounted on the frame for movement in at. least two directions, a conveyor movably'mountedt on the carrier and adapted to carry a plurality of brush backs, a cam shaft, motor means for constantly rotating said shaft during operation of the machine, a first and a second cam fixed to said shaft, a cam follower for each cam, means connecting the carrier with one of said cam followers and adapted to move the carrier in one ofsaid directions, other means connecting the carrier with another of said cam followers and adapted to move the carrier in the other direction, said cams being adapted to cause. movement of the carrier in at least one of said directions each time the drill and tufter are r ciprocated to shift brush backs in said conveyor relative: to said drill and tufter to drill a predetermined plu1- rality of spaced holes in abrush back as it, is positioned beneath the drill and to insert a tuft in each hole previously drilled in another brush back positioned beneath the tufter, a pneumatic piston and cylinder device, a ratchet wheel con nected to the conveyor for moving the same, an actuating member carrying a pawl to engage the ratchet and securedto the piston, valve means for operating the device, and a third cam fixed to said shaft having a cam follower connected to said valve means, said third cam being adapted upon the completion of the forming of said predetermined number of holes to operate said, valve to move the conveyor to position other" brush backs therein beneath the drill and tufter.

16. Ina brush making machine having a frame, a rotary drill mounted on the frame for vertical reciprocation, means for rotating the drill, a tufter mounted on the frame for vertical reciprocation, and mean for simultaneously reciprocating the drill and tufter to form a hole in a brush back positioned beneath the drill and to insert a tuft in a previously formed hole in: a brush back positioned beneath the tufter, operating and conveying means comprising aguideway mounted on the frame, a member slidable in said guideway and carrying a second guid'eway positioned at right angles to the first guideway, a carrier member slidable in said second guideway, a conveyor mounted on the carrierand adapted to carry a plurality of brush backs, a cam shaft, motor means for constantly rotating said shaft during operation of the machine, a first and a second cam fixed to shaft, a cam follower for each cam, means connecting the car'- rier member with one of said cam followers to move the carrier along said second gui'deway;v a crank connecting the member with another of said cam followers to move the member along said first guideway, said cams being adapted to cause movement of at least one of said members each time the drill and tufter are reciprocated to shift brush backs in said conveyor relative to said drill and tufter to drill a predetermined plurality of spaced holes in a brushback as it is positioned beneath the drill and to insert a tuft in each hole previously drilled in another brush back positioned beneath the tufter, means for moving the conveyor, and a third cam fixed to said shaft having a cam follower connected to the last named. moving means, said third cam being adapted upon the completion of the forming of said predetermined number of holes to move the conveyor to position other brush backs thereon beneath the drill and tufter.

17 In a brush making machine having'a frame, a rotary drill mounted on the frame for vertical reciprocation, means for rotating the drill, a tufter mounted on the frame for vertical reciprocation, and means for simultaneously reciprocating the drill and tufter to form a hole in a brush back positioned beneath the drill and to insert a tuft in a previously formed hole in a brush back positioned beneath the tufter, op-- erating and conveying means comprising a guideway mounted on the frame, a'member slidable in said guideway and carrying a second guideway positioned at right angles to the first guideway, a carrier member slidable in said second guideway, a conveyor mounted on the carrier and adaptedto carry a plurality of brush backs, a

cam shaft, motor means'for constantly'rotating said shaft during operation of the machine, a first and a second cam fixed to said shaft, a cam follower for each cam, means connecting the carrier member with one of said cam followers to move the carrier along said second guideway, a crank connecting the member with another of said cam followers to move the member along said first guideway, said cams being adapted to cause movement of at least one of said members each time the drill and tufter are reciprocated to shift brush backs in said conveyor relative to said drill and tufter to drill a predetermined plurality of spaced holes in a brush back as it is positioned beneath the drill and to insert a tuft in each hole previously drilled in another brush back.

18. In a brush making machine having a frame, a rotary drill mounted on the frame for vertical reciprocation, means for rotating the drill, a tufter mounted on the frame for vertical reciprocation, and means for simultaneously reciproeating the drill and tufter to form a hole in a brush back positionedbeneath the drill and to insert a tuft in a previously formed hole in a brush back positioned beneath the tufter, operating and conveying means comprising a guideway mounted on the frame, a member slidable in said guideway and carrying a pair of spaced guideways positioned parallel to each other and at right angles to the first guideway, a carrier member slidable in said pair of guideways, a conveyor mounted on the carrier and adapted to carry a plurality of brush backs, automatically operating means for feeding blank brush backs to and for removing drilled and tufted brush backs from the conveyor, a cam shaft, motor means for constantly rotating said shaft during operation of the machine, a first and a second cam fixed to said shaft, a cam follower for each cam, means connecting the carrier with one of said cam followers to move the carrier member along said pair of guideways, a crank connecting the member with another of said cam followers to move the member along said first named guideway, said cams being adapted to cause movement of at least one ofsaid members each time the drill and tufter are reciprocated to shift brush backs in said conveyor relative to said drill and tufter to drill a predetermined plurality of spaced holes in a brush back as it is positioned beneath the drill and to insert a tuft in each hole previously drilled in another brush back.

19. In a brush making machine having a frame, a drilling station including a drill for forming holes in abrush back and a tufting station, including a tufter for inserting tufts into the holes, means for moving brush backs into a plurality of predetermined positions at each station comprising a guideway on the frame, a member slidable on said guideway and carrying a pair of spaced parallel guideways'aligned at substantially right angles to the guideway, a carrier slidable on said pair of guidewaysmeans on the carrier for holding a brush back at the drilling station and for holding another brush back at the tufting station, a rotatably mounted cam, a cam follower riding on the cam, crank means connecting the cam follower to the member for sliding the membe along said first named guideway, a seccnl rotatably mounted cam, a second cam follower riding on the second cam, means secured to the carrier and defining an elongated slot extending parallel to the first mentioned guideway, a pin slidable in said slot and engaging the sides th ereof, said pin bein connected to said secon* cam follower for sliding the carrier along said pair of guideways, and means for rotating the cams.

20. Apparatus of the character described in claim 19 in which said crank means comprises a disc rotatably mounted on the frame, a plate carried by the member and having an elongated opening therein, a bearing post on the disc, a bushing eccentrically mounted on the post and engaging the sides of the open ng, means for securing the bushing to the post in any one of a plurality of positions eccentric thereto, and means connecting the disc to said first cam follower.

21. In a brush making machine having a frame, a drilling station including a drill for forming holes in a brush back and a tufting station including a tufter for inserting tufts in the holes, means for moving brush backs into a plurality of predetermined positions at each station comprising a guideway mounted for vertical movement on the frame and positioned below said stations, a member slidable on said guideway and carrying a second guideway aligned at substantially right angles to the first named guideway, a carrier slidable on said second guideway, means on the carrier for holding a brush back at the drilling station and for holding another brush back at the I tufting station, a rotatably mounted cam, a cam follower riding on the cam, means connectin the cam follower to the member for sliding the member along said first guideway, a second rotatably mounted cam, a second cam follower riding on the second cam, other means connecting the second cam follower to the carrier for sliding the carrier along said second guideway, means for securing a camming surface to said other connecting means, said camming surface being adapted to contact the member to move the same vertically with movement of the last-mentioned connecting means, and means for rotating the cams.

22. In a brush making machine having a frame, a drilling station including a drill for forming holes in a brush back and a tufting station ineluding a tufter for inserting tufts in the holes, means for moving brush backs into a plurality of predetermined positions at each station comprising a plurality of supporting posts mounted for vertical longitudinal movement on the frame, a guideway supported by the posts and positioned below said stations, a member slidable on said guideway and carrying a second guideway aligned at substantially right angles to the first named guideway, a carrier slidable'on said second guideway, means on the carrier for holding a brush back at the drilling station and for holding another brush back at the tufting station, a rotatably mounted cam, a cam follower riding on the cam, means connecting the cam follower to the memher for sliding the member along said first guideway, a second rotatably mounted cam, a second cam follower riding on the second cam, other means connecting the-second cam follower to the carrier for sliding the carrier along said second guideway, cammin means secured to said member and to said other connecting means and cooperating to move the member vertically with movement of the last mentioned connecting means, and means for rotating th cams.

23. Apparatus of the character described in claim 22 in which said camming means includes a member having a curved upper surface and secured to said other connecting means, and a button secured to the member and adapted to ride on said surface.

Number 24. In a brush making machine having a frame, means for forming a plurality of holes in a brush back, means for inserting tufts into said holes, and means for controlling a tuft guard for bending inserted tufts to a non-interfering position during the insertion of another tuft in a brush back, neutralizing means for the tuft guard comprising a rotatably mounted drive shaft for moving the tuft guard, means for oscillating the shaft, a member secured to the shaft and provided with a flattened portion on the edge thereof, an arm mounted on the frame for pivotal movement about an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of rotation of the shaft, said arm having a flat face adapted to contact said flattened portion, and resilient means urging said face into contact with said portion to rotate the member to a position in which said portion along substantially its entire length is in contact with said face.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date 982,340 Young Jan. 24, 1911 1,125,187 Schwartz Jan. 19, 1915 1,857,207 Mertes May 10, 1932 ,291,240 Landeck July 28, 1942 2,415,083 Carlson Feb. 4, 1947 Oct. 12, 1954 H. w. VANDERHOEF LIFT 'raucx FOR HANDLING HEAVY LOADS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 19, 1951 R F o m m H w m N O 1 M V W Y R N E H mm 4 E ow on on O G o EV .V.T m? m] I #m/ I v QM I cm on mm 0N I w 2 mm 6 0m BY n 7 Y ATTORNEYS 

